Using a private septic system is like owning a car, if periodic maintenance is not completed; the car will not perform to expectations and may prematurely fail. The same holds true for a septic system. To increase the life expectancy and prevent malfunctions of the Mound or Conventional Septic System, the following guidelines should be followed:

1. Due to the nature of the functionality of a septic system, extensive traffic should be avoided around and above the absorption cell and tanks. If the soil on the downslope edge of a mound is compacted due to heavy traffic, the transfer of water through the soil horizontally can decrease which may lead to a prematurely failed system. Heavy traffic over the tanks may cause them to cave in.
   
2. Extensive use of oil, high sudsing laundry detergents, chemicals, or any other anti-bacteria substances should not be discharged into the system. The use of anti-bacterial hand soaps is not considered to be excessive use and will not damage the system.
   
3. Any inorganic materials (diapers, cigarette butts, plastics, etc.) should not be placed in the system. These materials are not biodegradable and the bacterial in the system will not be able to consume them.
   
4. Excessive use of water will prevent the system from performing to its fullest capabilities. The daily use of water should be kept within the maximum design flow (150 gallons/bedroom).
5. In order to avoid surges in the amount of water used, laundry and other large volume water uses should be averaged out. For example, one load of wash could be done each night for three days instead of three loads of wash in one night. This is one way that will help balance the bacterial level in the septic tank.
   
6. The pump tank of a mound is equipped with an alarm, visual & audible, to indicate if the system has malfunctioned. If this occurs, immediate action should be taken to contact the installer. If a problem has occurred with the effluent pump, damage to the distribution cell can occur if proper precautions are not taken when powering the system back up.
   

The above guidelines also apply for a holding tank with the exception of number 5 & 6. If harsh chemicals of inorganic material are placed into the tank, the treatment facility in which the effluent is hauled to will be adversely affected.